Leadership

Stepha, a lifelong early childhood educator, will be joining Albee Square Montessori Public School as Assistant Principal I.A. on September 3rd, 2024. Stepha has deep roots in early childhood, having attended Montessori school as a child, and worked in family child care, center-based child care and inclusive schools that serve infants through second grade. 

She has spent the last nine years leading educational systems implementation, most recently in non-profit Montessori schools. She helped develop an early childhood Montessori teacher training program and has worked with (and learned from) established Montessori organizations that led to the graduation of over 100 Montessori teachers. Prior to that, Stepha led teaching and learning initiatives within the New York City Public Schools through the expansion of Pre-K for All. Under her leadership the Division of Early Childhood Education developed a free, progressive curriculum across multiple settings and ages and expanded professional learning and coaching systems. Stepha worked with city leadership to develop a Framework for Literacy, and served on the New York State P-2 Early Learning Standards Task Force.

Stepha has a passion for inclusive education where every child can reach their full potential. She holds a master’s degree in Special Education from Bank Street College of Education and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Adelphi University. Stepha enjoys traveling and hiking with friends and family around the US and the globe. Her current favorite children’s book is The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds.